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Rebirth of African pride with Juneteenth pageant revival after 20 years

Rebirth of African pride with Juneteenth pageant revival after 20 years
  • PublishedMay 27, 2022


After a twenty-year hiatus, Sulphur Springs Juneteenth pageant returns with an uplifting theme: Rebirth. 

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PAGEANT REBIRTH

In 2022, twenty contestants from Sulphur Springs and the surrounding area will compete for a variety of titles in a variety of categories. 

Categories include: 

  • Communication (Interview) 
  • Presentation (Talent) 
  • African Pride (Attire/ Hair presentation) 
  • Role model presentation (age 15-18 months only) 

The pageant has registrants from one year old to 18 years old, and both boys and girls have signed up to run, pageant co-coordinator LaShan Taylor-Moore said. 

Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Tickets can be purchased from participants or from pageant coordinators. 

The pageant will take place on Saturday, June 11 at 4 p.m. at the Morning Chapel Missionary Baptist Church (208 Fuller Street in Sulphur Springs). 

The pageant is open to all children, regardless of race, religion or ethnicity. In fact, children across demographics have enrolled to participate, Moore noted. 

“Achievements and accomplishments don’t have to have a color, it should depend upon the talent, hard work and dedication of a person,” the pageant committee stated.  

Although registration to participate as a contestant in the pageant is closed, the pageant is still taking donations and paid advertisements. 

For tickets or further information contact: LaShan Taylor at 214-434-7212, Tish Debase at 903-335-6980 or Nitri Adams at 903-440-4716

Juneteenth pageant in 2001

HISTORY

The history of Juneteenth in Texas begins on June 19, 1865, the abolition of slavery in our state. Juneteenth celebrations in Sulphur Springs became popular in the mid-to-late 1980s, which Hopkins County historian Prince Beachum noted used to have a carnival and circus. 

The history of Sulphur Springs’ Juneteenth pageant begins in 1997 with leaders Danny and Remona Hynson, who “had a vision for young ladies in the community to help build their self-esteem,” according to pageant coordinator LaShan Taylor- Moore. 

The early pageants took place at the Cypress Community Center, and due to high levels of participation, moved to the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center. 

However, the growing pageant was cut short in 2002 due to fundraising difficulties. 


“It’s expensive to run a pageant,” Taylor-Moore noted. 

While a growing movement revived other aspects of Juneteenth in 2009– including a parade and jamboree at Pacific Park– the pageant fell by the wayside. However, in 2022, coordinators wish to continue the Hynson’s vision for young folks.

VISION

By reviving the Juneteenth pageant, the committee hopes to provide inspiration to kids who may not have role models. 

“Sometimes, kids lack role models,” said Taylor-Moore. “We want to show our culture and bridge the gap of knowledge to show not only do we have role models, but they’re here in your own community. It means a lot when you can see someone you know as a role model.” 

This is especially why a portion of the pageant is dedicated to communication and public speaking; she noted that not only will those participating be able to shine, they also benefit directly from the coaching they receive to participate in a pageant. 

“We have coaches, judges, and community leaders involved,” Taylor-Moore said. “Really, everyone involved can be inspired.” 

Furthermore, said Taylor-Moore, successfully competing in the pageant, especially the African Pride portion, helps kids bring self-esteem to the forefront. 

“We’re able to share the way we wear out hair, our clothes, the music we listen to– we love to be able to showcase our self-esteem to Sulphur Springs,” she said. 

Ayana Pryor was Miss Juneteenth in 2000

Moore and co-organizers Tish Debase and Nitri Adams are honored to be taking the torch the Hynson family founded in 1997. 

“Remona [Hynson] opened doors for our youth, and it’s amazing that we’re finally able to be moving forward,” she said. 

One year after Emancipation Day ‘Juneteenth’ was declared both a federal and county-wide holiday, pageant coordinators are looking forward to demonstrating that it’s “not color but achievement that will give you success.”

By Taylor Nye. Historical images from Hopkins County Echo

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Written By
Taylor Nye

Taylor Nye is the editor of Front Porch News. She has degrees from the University of Wisconsin in human biology, Latin American studies, and public health. She has previously worked at the Wisconsin State Journal, Tucson Weekly and Sulphur Springs News-Telegram. As a sixth generation Hopkins County resident, she loves celebrating our heritage and history.